Close-ups
Framed and on the wall
Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look; the description says what is included.
Striking 1805 Hand-Colored Engraving of Wild Cats and Predatory Mammals
£120 ($155, €140)
Period original, not a reproduction.
Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.
- Date
- 1805
- Size
- 9.1 × 7.5 in (23 × 19 cm)
- Condition
- Minor edge foxing and age-related toning due to age and handling; the colors remain vibrant and visually striking. Study the images carefully.
- Period
- Early 19th century
- Artist or book
- Bertuch
- Section
- Mammals
- Reference
- f_42873572
- Colour
- Hand coloured
What the condition grades mean
- Excellent
- Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
- Very good
- Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
- Good
- Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
- Fair
- Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Striking 1805 Hand-Colored Engraving of Wild Cats and Predatory Mammals from Bertuch
Description: This remarkable hand-colored engraving from Friedrich Justin Bertuch’s *Porte-Feuille des Enfants* (Children's Portfolio), published in 1805, showcases a collection of fascinating wild cats and predatory mammals. The engraving captures the blend of scientific curiosity and artistic mastery typical of the Enlightenment era.
The figures include:
- Fig. 1: A stylized depiction of a panther or black leopard, snarling in an aggressive posture.
- Fig. 2: A spotted hyena, characterized by its robust build and distinctive markings.
- Fig. 3: A striped marsupial, likely a thylacine or Tasmanian tiger, once native to Australia.
- Fig. 4: A crouching jungle cat or ocelot, noted for its elegant, spotted coat.
- Fig. 5: A small wild cat, perhaps a European wildcat or a margay, with its sleek frame and intricate markings.
Bertuch’s engraving reflects 19th-century efforts to catalog and depict the diversity of the animal kingdom. Perfect for collectors of antique natural history prints, it provides both visual appeal and historical insight, making it a centerpiece for any zoological or artistic collection.
Condition: Light toning with minor foxing along the edges; the hand-coloring remains vibrant and well-preserved.
